What is the typical percentage of alcohol used as a disinfectant in electrology?

The typical percentage of alcohol used as a disinfectant in electrology is 70%. This concentration is effective because it contains enough water to facilitate the penetration of alcohol into the cell walls of microorganisms, which helps to effectively kill a wide variety of pathogens. The presence of water slows down the evaporation of alcohol, allowing it to remain in contact with the skin longer, which enhances its germicidal activity.

While higher concentrations like 90% or 100% alcohol might seem more effective, they can actually prevent effective disinfection due to rapid evaporation, which inhibits the alcohol from penetrating microorganisms adequately. Lower concentrations, such as 50%, may not provide sufficient efficacy against many types of bacteria and viruses. Thus, the 70% solution strikes a balance that is particularly beneficial for disinfecting skin prior to procedures in electrology.